Morpho-pathological and molecular characterization of a ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma australasiaticum’ strain from linseed

Linseed has rapidly emerged as a novel host to phytoplasmas in various parts of the world particularly in Indian subcontinent recently. The expansion of phytoplasma incidence on linseed and its geographical distribution is an alarming threat amid climatic fluctuations. Morpho-pathological and molecular analysis of the ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ strain associated with linseed phyllody and stem fasciation was undertaken. Phytoplasma like bodies were observed in phloem tissues through transmission electron microscopy. For the molecular characterization, the presence of phytoplasmas in symptomatic samples was confirmed by nested PCR-based 16S rRNA and secA genes. The sequences of the 16S rRNA and secA genes identified ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma australasiaticum’ presence in the symptomatic samples.